If MoveOn is looking for primary challenges to Democrats in Name Only, I would like to point people to a compelling post made yesterday by Archpundit on Dan Lipinski, who currently represents the 3rd congressional district of Illinois. I have been looking at Lipinski as a possible primary challenge for some time, but I have never seen the case for why he needs to be defeated presented more compellingly than Archpundit did yesterday. Here are some key facts presented in the post:
Deep Blue District: Lipinski represents an overwhelmingly Democratic district, with a partisan voting index of Democrat +10.3, and where Kerry won 59% of the vote in 2004. This is a blue district in absolutely no danger of falling into Republican hands. It should be represented by a strong progressive.
Nepotism Lipinski never had to campaign for the seat, not even in a primary. When he first won back in 2002, his father actually was the Democratic nominee. However, after his father won the primary, he stepped aside and had the junior Lipinski placed on the ballot in his stead. In other words, Lipinski has no real campaign experience, and only scored his seat in Congress through pure nepotism.
Until his dad crowned him a congressman, he spent 15 years out of town working at universities in North Carolina, Indiana and Tennessee. Somehow, while being a resident of other states, he managed to vote here, not by absentee ballot but in person. Election judges in his father's 23rd Ward marked him present in every Chicago election since at least 1990, according to official records.
Oddly, Lipinski, can't recall casting those votes. "I'm trying to think back to that time," he told me. "I honestly cannot remember."
Now the voter records are missing. This is clear voter fraud perpetrated by a local machine. Lipinski probably did not vote for over 15 years.
Bush Dog: Lipinski is a Bush Dog who voted with Bush on the war and on FISA. In fact, the IL-03 is by far the bluest district represented by a Bush Dog. We will never have a progressive governing majority if Bush Dogs occupy seats like this.
Hard Right Anti-Choice: In addition to being a Bush Dog, Lipinski is staunchly anti-choice. He has a zero rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood. He doesn't believe in family planning at all, in fact.
Not Progressive On Much Of Anything: In addition to his records on Iraq, FISA and choice, he also is below average for a Democrat on immigration, gets a big fat zero from Progressive Punch on GLBT issues, and only a 50% score from the Drum major institute on progressive family issues. Basically, he sucks at just about everything.
Already has a primary opponent: Recruiting a primary challenger against Lipinski isn't even necessary. Mark Pera has already signed on to run against him. You can compare some of their views here.
If institutional support is coming on board to run some primary challenges against Bush Dogs, DINOs, and other Dems who act as a negative force on our majority, IL-03 seems like a great place to start the challenges. For all the reasons listed above, right now, it is hard to imagine a more obvious case where a primary challenge can be won, and where a Democrat needs to go. Lipinski is entirely out of step with his district. Let's find someone who is a better fit.
